My school is having a science expo day and one of the activities is a "Pasta Power Tower". We can only use 40 10" pieces of speghetti, 6 mailing labels, an 2 rubber bands. We have to use these materials to make a structure that will support a coffee can an as many 3 inch nails as possible. we can cut up the pasta and the mailing labels as much as we want. I need help!! I need ideas of what kind of structure to build and how to build it. please and thank you!!!!
P.S. if you can provide pictures or links to pictures of what you mean, then it would be a huge help.
2007-05-23 07:54:28 · 2 answers · asked by emilia 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Buckling of columns is caused by inadequate radius of gyration or excess height. Obviously a single strand of spaghetti has an infinitesimal radius of gyration. The only way to increase the radius of gyration is to create multiple strands by taping two or more strands together. You can decrease the unsupported length by providing bracing at regular intervals. You should experiment with diagonal bracing as well as horizontal bracing. For example, a square tower with "X" bracing on all four sides comes to mind. In the real world engineers rely on empirical data. A bridge falls down, they figure out why it fell. Since no one has built a spaghetti tower before you need to gather your own empirical data. That means lots of experimenting. That's the key. Good luck!
2007-05-23 08:17:55 · answer #1 · answered by jsardi56 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emilia, you must accept the fact that even if someone gives you the perfect design, your construction methods are going to determine how many nails your stucture will be able to hold in the coffee can. You're going to have to PRACTICE, building and rebuilding your structure over and over until you build it straight and strong every time. While you are waiting for some good design ideas, go to the store and get pasta, mailing labels, and rubber bands.
2007-05-23 15:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by justjennith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋